Okay, I was talking to my buds over at the local Toyota dealership today while I was buying some parts.
We all know a member here had his 2nd gen Tacoma stolen some time ago. But I often wondered how?? Now I think I know. My parts guy said it's been happening every now and then one gets stolen in the dead of the night. If there is a willing accomplice at a dealer the thief can have the key ordered once he writes down your vin. Then bam your truck is gone. If they can get the key they can get whatever else they need to code/program it too.

Bottom line: Cover up your VIN on the windshield with a business card!

This is correct however the dealer needs to practice safe key ordering procedures. At BMW we would never order a key without the following...

1st, The VIN # of the car

2nd, The registration or title of the car matching the VIN #

3rd, The drivers license of the individual ordering the key. Must match the Registration and or title of the vehilce with name and address.

The dealer needs to inforce this to all its parts employees who are allowed to order keys. This way, there wont be any issues.

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Along with this, if there is a competent parts manager, he oversees all key orders and that the correct paperwork is provided. I don't know how Toyota parts run things, but I second that with BMW/MINI experience, it isn't as easy as the poster makes it sound.

Just make sure your insurance protects you! If a thief wants your rig bad enough, they will get it. I know this the hard way.

Along with this, if there is a competent parts manager, he oversees all key orders and that the correct paperwork is provided. I don't know how Toyota parts run things, but I second that with BMW/MINI experience, it isn't as easy as the poster makes it sound.

Just make sure your insurance protects you! If a thief wants your rig bad enough, they will get it. I know this the hard way.

On the other hand, my buddy's '87 was stolen with a dealer key - the police told him it was fairly easy since there were only 4 different keys made

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1st, 2nd and 3rd gen Toyotas are a whole different ball of wax. The 1st and 2nd gen rigs, there were only 6 different keys made and with a worn out key and someone's worn out lock/ignition cylinders, it's pretty easy. I had an '85 with new door lock cylinders/keys and third gen dash with another new key and cylinder and multiple anti-theft devices and it was still stolen...hence my previous statement of if they want it bad enough, they'll get it.

Bottom line: Cover up your VIN on the windshield with a business card!

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But don't parked where you might get checked by parking enforcement. Probably varies by location ect.

My bf was parked the wrong way on the street in front of the house and his dash mat was slid forward covering the VIN, parking enforcement came by and was going to write a ticket, but the neighbor talked her out if it and she left a warning that said..parked facing traffic is a $65 fine and covering a VIN is illegal, next time is a ticket.

1st, 2nd and 3rd gen Toyotas are a whole different ball of wax. The 1st and 2nd gen rigs, there were only 6 different keys made and with a worn out key and someone's worn out lock/ignition cylinders, it's pretty easy. I had an '85 with new door lock cylinders/keys and third gen dash with another new key and cylinder and multiple anti-theft devices and it was still stolen...hence my previous statement of if they want it bad enough, they'll get it.

But don't parked where you might get checked by parking enforcement. Probably varies by location ect.

My bf was parked the wrong way on the street in front of the house and his dash mat was slid forward covering the VIN, parking enforcement came by and was going to write a ticket, but the neighbor talked her out if it and she left a warning that said..parked facing traffic is a $65 fine and covering a VIN is illegal, next time is a ticket.

Thanks! It's been my favorite movie for years and is the source of the nickname is was given and my partner in crime!

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Hey Snow, there is a whole thread dedicated to dogs. Nice pooch you got there. Post that picture in the dog thread, and while you're ther check out all the other dogs. There's some great pictures in there!